We've all been there - you're in your airline seat, it's snug and you're alternating which body part is most uncomfortable, but it's just about bearable - then the person in front throws their seat back and they are sitting in your lap.
A British traveller, posting on TikTok as Clare Gemini has shared her "best life hack when you've got someone in front who is trying to put their seat down constantly".
She then showed how a full size tub of Pringles placed on the tray table can jam the mechanism so the traveller in front is unable to recline.
@claregemini @Pringles #traveltiktok #traveltips #lifehacks #pringle ♬ original sound - clare1982
The post has been viewed more than 1.2 million times, with almost 2000 people commenting.
Some posters were impressed with her ingenuity, saying: "As a 6ft 5 traveller this is the best thing I’ve ever seen."
Another shared their own tip, saying: "I did this with the water bottles. Eight hour flight with someone's seat touching your nose. No thank you. I didn’t put my seat back out of respect for the people behind."
Many believe it is poor etiquette to recline, particularly while food or drink was being served: "f your flight is less than 4 hours, it's rude to recline IMO, it's also perfectly allowed for me to watch my movie without headphones but it's rude so I wouldn't do it."
Another added: "The best thing to do is stop all seats reclining. Simple."
Others were not so impressed: "You are a horrible person!" said one.
Others added: "This is ridiculous and quite frankly, you should be banned from flying. Bloody pathetic" and "They’re putting the seat down probably because someone in front of them has. So carry it on and you’ll be fine."
There were also comments saying she should have chosen business class or even a private jet if she wanted more space: "I pay for a reclining seat, it goes back . If u don’t like it fly private."
Some said it wouldn't work: "You are extremely overestimating the compressive strength of those Pringles. I would send that jar flying when I push back."
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Others blamed the airlines for not giving enough space: "I always recline. If it was a problem the airlines wouldn't fit that type of seat. Tough luck to the person behind.
A fellow traveller added: "Blaming the people reclining instead of the airlines is top tier."
There was even an idea for compromise: "I do not understand why plane seats do not recline in their own shell so it only affects the seat users own space."
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